AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Intermountain Healthcare has signed for three GrandNew helicopters with options for two additional aircraft.

These aircraft will be equipped to provide industry leading in-flight patient care and will also benefit from the world’s most technologically advanced avionics system ever to fly in a helicopter of this class. Operated by Intermountain Life Flight, Intermountain Healthcare’s aviation division, these aircraft will join two A109K2’s already in service performing critical medevac missions in Utah and Northern Nevada.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Intermountain Healthcare,” said Louis Bartolotta, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, North America, “The GrandNew helicopter offers increased performance, allowing the helicopter to be operated as an airborne intensive care unit with unprecedented situational awareness and safety. Intermountain Healthcare is widely seen as a leader in modern healthcare, we are proud to do our part in supporting their work. With this order, we will continue to support the community served by Intermountain Life Flight and Intermountain Healthcare for years to come. We do so with a program at the leading edge of the aero-medical community using a fleet of GrandNews, an aircraft at the leading edge of aviation technology. We are proud of our ongoing affiliation with Intermountain Healthcare. ”

"This is a wonderful opportunity for Intermountain Life Flight to reach its goal of fleet standardization while benefiting from AgustaWestland's technological advances and enhanced operations with the GrandNew," said Jerry Morrison, Executive Director, Intermountain Life Flight.

Each GrandNew will be equipped with modern, comprehensive EMS interior featuring single or dual stretchers in addition to a rescue hoist, wire strike protection, snow skis and NVG compatibility. These aircraft will be completed and delivered at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania production facility.

The AgustaWestland GrandNew marks a world first and the start of a new technological era for commercial helicopters with the integration of advanced vision systems to deliver a new level of situation and terrain awareness to pilots, greatly enhancing safety.

The GrandNew is the first helicopter in its class to incorporate a Synthetic Vision System (SVS), Highway in The Sky (HITS) and Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (HTAWS) to provide full terrain and obstacle awareness in low visibility flying conditions. The system provides the pilot with three dimensional guidance and detailed terrain maps, resulting in an advanced operating capability which sets a new benchmark in safety.

The GrandNew also already meets the latest NTSB/FAA recommendations for EMS operations to consider the use of an FAA-approved night vision goggle or enhanced vision system into flight programmes, when conditions and missions dictate.

Orders for over 50 Grand News helicopters have been made so far by customers worldwide.

Intermountain Healthcare has received extensive praise from many in the healthcare community, including the President of the United States, as an example of an innovative and successful healthcare organization. Intermountain Healthcare’s Life Flight division has adopted the highest safety standards and is a leader in providing safety training to their community partners. (ends)

University of Mississippi Medical Center purchases an EC145 from American Eurocopter

(Source: American Eurocopter; issued October 11, 2010)

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas --- From booth number 1423 at the 2010 Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, American Eurocopter today announced that the University of Mississippi Medical Center has purchased an EC145 for its Department of Helicopter Transport – the AirCare program. The helicopter is replacing one of their current aircraft and will be based in Jackson, MS. It will be operated by PHI Helicopters, Inc.

“We were interested in purchasing a helicopter for our organization that would provide us with the power, size and range that we need to meet the current demands of our service area as well as future needs,” said Donna Norris, Program Director/Chief Flight Nurse for University of Mississippi Medical Center’s AirCare Program. “When we measured the EC145 against other helicopters in the industry, it was the logical choice.”

The University of Mississippi Medical Center's AirCare program was established in 1996 with a single helicopter based in Jackson. The program has grown and it currently has a fleet of two helicopters that serve the Jackson and Meridian areas.

“EC145 helicopters are produced right up the road in our Columbus facility,” said Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter. “I know our employees are proud to have one of these aircraft supporting the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s AirCare program.”

In addition to offering the latest technology and true multi-mission capability, the EC145 provides the largest cabin size in its class. This allows for maximum flexibility and configuration options. With its high set main and tail rotors, rear-loading clamshell doors, large cabin, extra payload capacity, unmatched visibility and additional safety features, the EC145 has become a platform of choice for many missions, particularly HEMS. (ends)

Metro Aviation Selects 12 Aircraft from American Eurocopter

(Source: American Eurocopter; issued October 11, 2010)

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas --- From booth number 1423 at the 2010 Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, American Eurocopter announced that Metro Aviation Inc., has entered into an MOU for 12 aircraft. The mix will include EC130’s, EC135s and an EC145 and will support the company’s ongoing growth and expansion of its Aircraft Operations Division.

“Metro Aviation provides the services, dedication, stability and support that is of the highest standard,” said Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter. “We value our longstanding business relationship with Metro Aviation and are delighted that we have entered into this agreement. We are looking forward to continuing to support them in the future.”

Metro Aviation, based in Shreveport, LA, has been in the air medical service business for over 28 years. The company currently operates 71 aircraft, which includes a fleet of 61 Eurocopter helicopters. With these aircraft, Metro Aviation serves 23 programs across the United States.

“This agreement will support Metro’s commitment to provide the highest quality products and safest traditional services to the preeminent medical providers in the United States,” said Mike Stanberry, President of Metro Aviation. “Our company has successfully invested in Eurocopter products for almost three decades and we are confident that these aircraft will serve our customers well for decades to come.”

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida --- Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, today announced that Air Methods Corporation, the largest provider of air medical transport services in the world, has signed an agreement to purchase fifteen (15) Bell 407s, one of the most successful single- engine turbine engine helicopters ever produced. All deliveries are planned for 2011.

"Air Methods is widely recognized as one of the global leaders in the air-medical industry and we are extremely excited that they have placed their trust and faith back in Bell Helicopter and in the 407 as they continue their fleet modernization and replacement plan", said John L. Garrison, Bell Helicopter president and chief executive officer.

Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, Air Methods provides air-medical services through both their Life-Net and Health-Net Divisions servicing 249 bases and providing Operator services to some the largest hospital systems in the US. Air Methods’ Products Division which designs manufactures and installs aircraft medial interiors and other aerospace or medical transport products will customize the 15 Bell 407s.

"This is a great opportunity for Bell and you can be assured that every employee at Bell Helicopter understands the commitment and the level of performance that Air Methods expects from us and deserves," said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president Commercial Business. "The 407’s service record and Bell Helicopter’s customer service recognized as the best by ProPilot and AIN remains unmatched in the industry and we look forward to the continuing opportunity to go on providing that level of service to Air Methods."

Air Methods Corporation is the largest provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems. The company is dedicated exclusively to air medical transport, focusing on the quality of care to patients, and safety in aviation operations. With 30 years of experience, the company transports more than 98,000 patients annually who require intensive medical care from either the scene of an accident or general care hospitals to highly skilled trauma centers or tertiary care centers. Air Methods operates a fleet of 320 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft at 237 bases in 42 states.

The Bell 407, a single-engine helicopter that seats seven in total, is used in a wide variety of civilian missions, from air ambulance and airborne law enforcement to corporate/VIP transport and offshore oil and gas support. Versions of the aircraft are used by military services around the world. Bell 407s are in service in 51 countries around the world. In June 2010, Bell Helicopter's 407 reached a historic milestone when the company delivered the 1,000th 407 production aircraft.

Bell Helicopter and Air Medical Holdings Group Sign Agreement for 16 Helicopters

(Source: Bell Helicopter; issued October 11, 2010)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida --- Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, today announced the sale of 16 206L4 LongRanger IV helicopters to Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), the largest independent provider of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in the world. The aircraft will be operated by AMGH subsidiary Air Evac Lifeteam with deliveries in 2012 and 2013.

"All of us at Bell Helicopter are particularly proud of the association we enjoy with AMGH and Air Evac Lifeteam," said John L. Garrison, Bell Helicopter president and chief executive officer.

"This order serves to confirm their continued faith and trust in Bell Helicopter as well as the LongRanger for the HEMS mission requirements. The 206L4 represents performance, affordability and value, and is, as always, backed by Bell's industry leading customer support," said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president Commercial Business.

Air Evac Lifeteam is a West Plains, Missouri-based provider of air ambulance services to rural communities across 14 states. Air Evac Lifeteam operates the world's largest fleet of over 100 medically-equipped Bell 206 LongRanger helicopters and has flown more than 220,000 people who were in critical need of care since its founding in 1985.

Air Evac Lifeteam President and CEO Seth Myers said, "The purchase of these new aircraft will continue our overall fleet upgrade campaign and allow us to continue our mission of providing increased access to emergency healthcare to even more communities in rural America. The tremendous available up time of our fleet, is a true testament to the dependability and reliability of the 206 L aircraft. We appreciate the support Bell Helicopters has provided us over the years and look forward to continuing that partnership as we move forward."

The 206L4 LongRanger IV provides a unique combination of power and range along with innovative doors and a spacious cabin that make the LongRanger IV ideal for the HEMS mission. The spacious cabin can be effectively modified to accommodate a broad range of medical equipment insuring the capability for efficient and comprehensive medical transportation Quick and easy patient loading and unloading is provided by a standard bi-fold door with a 61-inch (155 cm) opening. Superb visibility for difficult scene landings and more safety margin are provided by large cabin windows for medical attendants and wrap-around windows for pilots.